The report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, which was announced last week, contains many positive recommendations that would modernise policing in areas like civilianisation, human rights, training and community policing, which is a key point we have emphasised. However, some concern has been expressed about the proposal to do away with the Policing Authority and to move some of its functions, for example with regard to appointments, to the Garda board and the Garda Commissioner. It is significant that there were differing views on the issue of appointments within the commission itself. When the Government is implementing the report, will it give weight to and take account of this difference of opinion within the commission? When will we have a debate on the report in this House?

I would be very anxious for us to have a debate on aspects of this important report in the House at the earliest opportunity, subject to the agreement of the Business Committee. I assure the House that the Government has noted the far-reaching recommendations in this report, which is a blueprint for policing for the coming decades. I am anxious to ensure an implementation body is put in place and that is my priority currently. I will engage intensively in the coming weeks with a view to putting together an implementation committee headed by an independent chair. We will proceed accordingly with the 50 recommendations, subject to the observations expressed by Deputies during a Dáil debate on this report, which is really important for the future of policing in this country.